This is not about being a cougar — Appleyard's crushes are just that: Crushes. Fantasies. Not relationships with anyone she knows. Just the acknowledgment that she finds some of the young male stars — in entertainment geared toward her two teenage daughters — hot. Appleyard explains she's not interested in grey-haired men like George Clooney, writing: "I have one of those at home."

Advertisement

If Appleyard were a man talking about having crushes on younger women, would we be grossed out? Propabably. But she's not having a mid-life crisis; she's not advocating ditching the husband for a sports car and the younger guy who lives down the street. She's just sharing her daydreams. Remembering what it was like to be a fan, to live in that sliver of girlworld where cute rules — while still going about a normal, adult life. Which sounds healthy, escapist, and enjoyable.

…It's fun. That's what crushes are all about. They are designed to take you out of your boring old life and catapult you into a world where you actually meet your hero.

So if you'll excuse me, I'll be speeding down the beach on the back of Taylor's motorcycle for the next 10 minutes. BRB.